Aggies Fall to Baylor in Home Finale

BRYAN, Texas-Texas
A&M's rally to erase a five-point deficit fell just short on Saturday, as
the third-ranked Aggies dropped their home finale to No. 6 Baylor 12-11 at the
Brazos County Expo Complex.

A&M (8-3) trailed by five at the halfway point of the
show after dropping eight of the first 11 points to the Bears (10-4). The
Aggies took control in the final two disciplines, equitation on the flat and
reining, and pulled within one point with two rides to go. Baylor, however,
claimed a three-point win on the final reining ride of the afternoon to hold on
for the win and snap A&M's school-record 21-meet home win streak.

The Aggies began their comeback quickly once competition
resumed after the break. A&M's reining team rattled off three straight wins-freshman
Laura Sumrall, 75-71 over Claire Edwards; sophomore Lindsey Bernbaum, 73-71 over
Amber Mooney; and junior Emma Myers, 68.5-62 over Katherine Berg. Bernbaum's
performance would earn her a third MVP of the season.

The teams split the next four rides, as the Bears held on to
an 11-10 lead despite wins from senior Maggie Earle on the flat, 80-64 over
Kara Fergusson, and junior Becca Murray in reining, 73.5-69 over Ellie Powell. With two rides remaining, however, Baylor's
Olivia Rogers would pick up a reining victory to clinch the meet for the
visitors.

Soon thereafter, Aggie senior Elizabeth Solch-in the final home
ride of her career-downed Samantha Schaefer 81-79 and earned MVP honors in the
process. The victory left Solch just two shy of becoming the school's all-time leader
in victories on the flat and clinched a team victory for the A&M hunter
seat riders.

The Bears built their early lead on the backs of strong
performances over fences and in horsemanship. A&M scored twice over fences,
as junior Kelsi Shevlin topped Sue Carol Thompson 76-74 and true freshman Leah
Chenelle knocked off Taylor Brown 87-80. In horsemanship, junior Cassie Mantor
tallied the Aggies' lone victory, downing Blair Bergeson 73.5-73. Junior Carey
Nowacek narrowly missed another point, posting a 74.5-all tie against Parris
Rice, while three of the Bears' other four victories came by two points or
less.

Texas A&M will now turn its attention to the Big 12 Championship,
scheduled for March 30 and 31 at TimberCreek Stables in Manhattan, Kan. Seeding
for the four-team tournament will be announced in the near future.